Swift Creek Bluffs Nature Preserve

On Sunday we went to Swift Creek Bluffs Nature Preserve for a little hike. The hike was probably under 2 miles total, so Simon was able to walk the whole time. We spent some time playing at the creek, then enjoyed some old beech trees, and hiked up a bluff, then down to the adjacent golf course and watched some men play golf, then had snacks and headed back to the van. Even though we sprayed everyone in advance, the kids still got a lot of mosquito bites.

At the creek, Simon pretended to fish while Alice collected shells and golf balls from the creek.

We also appreciated some of the large beech trees that are about 200 years old.

The best part, as far as Simon was concerned, was that he found a dead cicada early on and carried it around the whole time. Alice eventually lent him her bug watch to hold it for a bit. Finally, towards the end of the hike, we found a dead cicada for Alice (who had been quite sad the whole time that she didn't have a dead cicada to carry around).

They even brought the dead cicadas home! Yay.